Satur Tiamson, Jr.

Satur, an accomplished musician, has garnered prestigious awards. His accomplishments include The Outstanding Young Men for Arts in Music by JCI Philippines (TOYM) and the 2018 Presidential Award by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, both commended by the President of the Philippines. Other awards include University of the Philippines Distinguished Alumnus for Culture and the Arts, Asia’s Influential Musician by Asia’s Influential Leader Awards, adding to his title as Asia’s Reputable International Musician from Asia’s Pinnacle Awards in 2023.

Time Out Magazine recognized him among the Top 20 Musicians in Hong Kong in 2008. Satur’s success extends to winning multiple gold medals at the 20th World Championships of Performing Arts in Los Angeles, USA, in 2016 and securing 2nd Prize at the 14th edition of the Italy Percussion Competition in Pescara, Italy, for the Drum Set Category. Additionally, from 2021 to 2023, he excelled in online competitions, seizing over 20 first prize awards in Drum Set and Percussion Categories worldwide. His latest achievement was the Platinum Medal in the 8th Edition of the Quebec International Music Competition in 2024.

Other awards he received include Bagong Bayani for Culture and the Arts in 2014 by POEA and OWWA, Gawad Geny Lopez Jr Bayaning Pilipino Award for Asia Pacific in 2015, Walt Legacy Award by the Walt Disney Company in 2012, Dangal ng Bayan Award for Music in 2011, Sangguniang Bayan Award for Music in 2013, and Gawad Punongbayan for Music in 2022 by the Local Government of Angono (Art Capital of the Philippines).

Satur’s educational achievements including a Diploma in Music with a Major in Percussion from the University of the Philippines College of Music. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Percussion Performance from St. Paul Manila University College of Music and the Performing Arts.

Satur began playing percussion in 1993 with the Angono Wind Ensemble from Angono, Rizal, Philippines. He continued his journey as a professional musician and served as the band leader for the Hong Kong Disneyland Band from 2005 to 2015. He has showcased his talents alongside distinguished orchestras like the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra and the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra, and he has served as the former Principal Percussionist of the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra and the Metro Manila Community Orchestra. Furthermore, Satur has enriched his musical experiences by touring Asia with the Asian Youth Orchestra in 2001 and 2004, as well as participating in the Southeast Asian Youth Wind Ensemble in Thailand in 2003. Presently, he contributes as the Co-Principal Percussionist for the Hong Kong Metropolitan Pop Orchestra.

Throughout his career, Satur has participated in over 30 productions in Hong Kong and Manila. His notable performances include the international premiere of Fun Home, featuring Lea Salonga, the Asian premiere of Matilda with Esang De Torres, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical starring Kayla Rivera, Kinky Boots featuring Nyoy Volante, Side Show with Wency Cornejo, and Waitress featuring Butin Escalante and Joanna Ampil, among many others.

In Hong Kong, he showcased his skills as a percussionist in the award-winning musical The Woman in Kenzo by Chung Ying Theatre Company. Additionally, he has worked on various musicals with organizations such as the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts School of Drama, Hong Kong Singers, HK 3 Arts Musical Institute, HKUST, and Hong Kong Players.

Satur has also performed as a percussionist at the Grasshopper Concert in 2022, which highlighted legendary Cantopop artists, collaborating with many local others in Hong Kong, including Crisel Consunji, Marsha Yuan, and Jordan Cheng.

His recent highlight performances include playing percussion with the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong (CCOHK) under the baton of Maestro Ney Rosauro. He also performed as a Body Percussionist/ Baboon and main cast member in the world and London premiere of WILD (The Musical) by CCOHK, and as a guest percussionist in concerts such as The Snowman & the Bear and the Harry Potter Concert. In 2024, he performed as a drummer at Disney in Concert with the Hong Kong Symphony Orchestra.

As an educator, Satur has conducted percussion and drum clinics and workshops at various festivals, including the Annual Percussive Arts Society International Convention (virtually in 2023-24) and performing with Kana Omori at PASIC 50 this year, the International Fringe Association Percussion Festival in Initial-P (HK), the Gip Percussion Summer Festival (HK), the Hong Kong International Drummer Festival, the Fringe Youth Festival, IPEA Hong Kong Percussion Fest, APPF Percussion Fest-HK, and the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) in Manila. He has also presented and performed at TEDx Hong Kong and TEDx HKU.

Satur has been teaching drums and percussion at multiple schools, studios, and academies across Hong Kong since 2006. He conducted the award-winning Percussion Ensemble at Alliance Primary School in HK, teaching Samba drumming, Chinese drumming, drum circles, and drum set at various institutions such as Harrow International School, Discovery Bay International School, and The ISF Academy.

He is a member of the Board of Advisors at the Percussive Arts Society (International), the PAS World Percussion Committee (International), and the President of the PAS Philippine Chapter (PAS Outstanding Chapter Awardee 2021). Also he is the President of PASAMBAP (a 71 year old National Band Organization in the Philippines) wnd member of World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles.

Satur is an active adjudicator and judge in many marching and concert band festivals in the Philippines, Hong Kong and the Percussive Arts Society. Satur proudly endorses Zildjian Cymbals, Prologix pads, Grover Pro Percussion, Innovative Percussion, and Toca Percussion.